Chico State Hall of Fame member dead after being stabbed

ROCKLIN — An 2009 inductee of the Chico State University Hall of Fame died Saturday after being stabbed in the chest during a party at his home.

Robert Earl Vickney Jr., 51, of Rocklin, was fatally stabbed once by 20-year-old Zachary Raymond Kachman after the two men got into an argument at about 10 p.m. at Vickney's residence in Rocklin, according to a Rocklin Police Department press release.

Vickney was found inside his home bleeding from the chest and was transported to Sutter Roseville Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injury.

According to detectives, Vickney and Kachman were in an argument when it turned physical and Kachman reportedly stabbed him once in the chest with a pocketknife.

Kachman was arrested and booked into Placer County Jail, but has since been released. His arraignment is set for July 29.

The case is ongoing and it has been sent to the Placer County District Attorney's Office, said Capt. Lon Milka of the Rocklin Police Department.

The District Attorney's Office could not be reached for comment.

Vickney played football for the Wildcats during the '80s and was on the track and field team for the 1986-1987 season, according to the Chico State Athletics website.

Vickney was a middle linebacker and was a Northern California Athletic Conference champion in shot-put in 1986 while at Chico State. He became the team captain in 1987.

Fellow Chico State teammate Jim Mavor told ABC News in Sacramento that Vickney had just planned a reunion for his teammates to be held today.

Vickney earned his bachelor's degree in physical education.

Greg Bortolin, who knew Vickney since first grade, described "Bob" as a great person with a great smile whose personality filled the room, he said. He's the guy people are looking for at the high school reunion.

Vickney and Bortolin grew up in Carson City and graduated from Carson High School in 1981, Bortolin said.

Vickney had humble beginnings, but was able to achieve a lot in life, Bortolin said. However, it was no surprise since Vickney had always been a hard worker. He had a nice combo of determination and personality.

"He was probably as tough as he is nice," Bortolin said.

His dedication can be seen in his success in sports, he said.

Vickney excelled in football since high school, but track was an afterthought, Bortolin said. However, his success in track speaks volumes of his character. If Vickney set a goal, he was going to achieve it, no matter how impossible, he added.

Bortolin and Vickney lived in different states, but would occasionally see each other, he said. The last time the two spoke, Vickney expressed how proud he was to have been entered into the Chico State Hall of Hame.

"I couldn't be prouder of everything that Bob accomplished," Bortolin said. "The real tragedy here is that Bob had a lot more to give ... To die at 51 is just unbelievable."